John 14:23-29 (NRSV)
Read John 14:23-29 on biblegateway.com
Verse 23Jesus answered him, "Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Verse 24Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
Verse 25"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. Verse 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Verse 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Verse 28You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I am coming to you.' If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. Verse 29And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Devotion
The question that Jesus is answering has to do with how Jesus will be present with his followers once his earthly ministry is completed. Years ago my father expressed the desire to have lived during the time of Jesus: "Then you would know for sure!" He was a banker. He dealt with financial realities, with bottom line hard facts.
Jesus gives two answers of how he will be present with his followers after his ascension. The first—on which we reflect today—is that those who love him will keep (treasure, hold fast) his word. The sense here is not the dutiful "obey" type of keeping but rather living in Jesus' word, treasuring it as valuable and central to daily living. Through the reading, praying, reflecting on, and attempting to live that word, something wonderful happens: "...My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them."
Prayer
Dear Risen and Present Lord and God. Keep us in your word that culminates in the gift from the cross, in 'Father, forgive them.' Help us to treasure the myriad of adventures in the scriptures which center on your self-giving. Thank you for making our hearts your home. Amen.